Students receive Army National Guard Minuteman Scholarships

Gov. Susana Martinez and Brig. Gen. Andrew Salas, Adjutant General of New Mexico, awarded six Army National Guard Minuteman scholarships, five from the University of New Mexico and one from New Mexico State, in a ceremony celebrated with their families on Veterans Day at the Onate Military Complex.

“I am very proud to honor these six young individuals who not only answered the call to attend college, they also answered the call to serve our great state and nation,” Martinez said. “To choose college, complete college and say I will serve in the New Mexico National Guard for eight years is truly amazing at your young age.”

Martinez told the cadets that she is confident that New Mexico’s universities and their ROTC programs will prepare them to overcome any obstacles that come their way. “As recipients of the Minuteman scholarship, the bar is high so do your very best in both the classroom and the ROTC program,” Martinez said.

“Family members, you can rest assured that your loved ones are coming into a good family here at the New Mexico National Guard,” Salas said. “We are going to take care of your loved one, your child. We are going to challenge them, hold them to a high standard, and we are going to take care of them and help them grow.”

Scholarship recipients receive full tuition and fees or room and board ($10,000 per year) at the participating University of attendance; cadet monthly stipend ($300-freshman, $350-sophomore, $450-junior, $500-senior); book stipend of $1,200 annually ($600 per semester); eligibility for State education benefits; Simultaneous Membership Program with a NMARNG unit to drill monthly and receive additional E5/Cadet drill pay of $300 monthly.

Earning the 2015 New Mexico Army National Guard Minuteman scholarships are:

Cadet Zachary Jessee, from Farmington, attends the University of New Mexico (UNM) and is assigned to the NMARNG’s Medical Detachment. He is a graduate of Farmington High School and joined the NMARNG to pursue a lifelong interest in military service.

Cadet Christopher Alvarez, from Los Lunas, attends UNM and is assigned to the NMARNG’s 126th Military Police Company. He is a graduate of Valencia High School and joined the NMARNG in an effort to learn leadership roles.

Cadet Nadine Oglesby, from Albuquerque, attends UNM and is assigned to the NMARNG’s Medical Detachment. She is a graduate of Highland High School and joined the NMARNG because of the influence of her grandparents who are also veterans. She wants to set a good example for her peers by serving her community and country and learning self-discipline.

Cadet Brandon Martinez, from Grants, attends UNM and is assigned to the NMARNG’s 126th MP Company. He is a graduate from Grants High School and joined the NMARNG as a desire to serve and protect our country.

Cadet Tyler Hernandez, from Rio Rancho, attends UNM and is assigned to the NMARNG’s Medical Detachment. She is a graduate from Cleveland High School and joined the NMARNG for the opportunity to make a difference.

Cadet Kevin McCarty, from Taos, attends New Mexico State University and is assigned to the NMARNG’s Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 200th Infantry. He is a graduate of Taos High School and joined the NMARNG with a desire to serve and protect our country.

Also in attendance were Lt. Col. Kenneth Crawford, UNM professor of Military Science; Master Sgt. Eugene Broadus, UNM Sr. Military instructor; Lt. Col. David McCoy, professor of NMSU Military Science.

In order to qualify for the Minuteman Scholarships, applicants must be a drilling New Mexico Army National Guardsmen, pass the NMARNG’s fitness test and height and weight requirements, pass interviews with the NMNG’s Adjutant General and the Professor of Military Science at their respective University, earn a minimum score of 19 on the ACT/SAT college entry exam, and a minimum 2.5 high school GPA.

Recipients must enroll in ROTC at their University of attendance, maintain a 2.0 GPA to maintain scholarship eligibility, and attend BT or CIET (Basic Course) and CLC (Advanced Course) at Fort Knox, Ky.

The New Mexico National Guard ranked in the Top 20 states and territories for their work in finding and selecting Minuteman Scholarship recipients.

For more information about this New Mexico National Guard event, contact Joseph Vigil at (office) 505-474-1102, (mobile) 505-553-1427 or joseph.l.vigil2.civ@mail.mil.